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Ryuji didn't normally bring friends to his house.
First of all, he didn't really have any and hadn't for a while. Second of all, his place was kinda special to him - they'd moved in here after his dad had been kicked out, and it felt like it was their safe space or something, and he didn't want anyone he didn't fully trust in his safe space. It was just for him and his mom.
Ren, though - he hadn't known Ren long, but Ren was the best friend he'd had in a while. Maybe ever, even. They'd been through a lot of shit together at this point and Ren had seen some of Ryuji’s uglier sides and still stayed. So Ren was definitely a special case.
The only issue was that Ryuji’s mom would know that, too. Not that it mattered, but he was kinda worried she'd get all worked up over him finally having a friend. What if she got all excited and then Ryuji managed to fuck it up somehow? She'd be so sad…
Nah, surely that wouldn't happen. Ryuji was doing damn good - even though they had Yusuke with the phantom thieves now, Ren had swapped out Morgana instead. He hadn't even looked at Ryuji when deciding who to swap out. That must've meant Ryuji was important to him! Well, that, and Ren agreeing with the whole “Ryuji is my right hand man” thing. Ryuji was quite proud of that title.
Ryuji saw his mother’s car parked in the apartment building’s parking lot as they walked up to his floor, so when he threw his door open and led Ren inside, he called out “Mom! I'm home!”
Ryuji’s mom came out of the bathroom wearing her comfy at-home clothes, long brown hair sort of wet like she'd gotten out of the shower a while ago. Her eyes lit up the second she saw Ren. “Oh! Ryu! Who's this?”
Ren gave Ryuji's mom a small, almost shy smile. Ryuji had to admit - it was cute. Ren was just a cute guy, though. Ryuji didn't find him attractive, of course not, because he didn't find guys attractive, but he could tell when a guy was good-looking anyway.
“This is my friend, Ren Amamiya,” Ryuji announced, and Ryuji’s mom smiled widely at Ren.
Ren bowed, still smiling that shy little smile of his. “It's nice to meet you. Call me Ren.”
His mom’s smile brightened. “What a polite young man! You can call me Yui.”
Ryuji wrinkled his nose slightly. It was odd to hear his mom’s name out loud. It'd been a while.
After they chatted with his mom a bit and then retreated to his room, Ren stared thoughtfully at Ryuji’s slightly open door.
Ryuji tilted his head. “Whatcha thinkin’? You wanna leave already? I didn't think it was that messy in here,” Ryuji joked with a nervous smile.
Ren shook his head. “No, it's just… you really remind me of your mom.” Ren smiled fondly at Ryuji after he said it. Ryuji blushed.
“For real?”
Ren nodded. “I think you're a lot like her.”
Ryuji beamed. He quite liked the thought that he acted like his mom. His mom was a wonderful person, and honestly, if he was half as great as she was, Ryuji would be very happy with that.
They studied for a while, up until Ryuji’s mom knocked and then poked her head in. “Hey, dinner’s gonna be ready soon - are you staying to eat with us, Ren?”
Ren blinked in surprise and glanced over at Ryuji. “... If you want me to.”
“Yeah, man! Stay!” Ryuji insisted excitedly.
Ren smiled his tiny little smile. “I'll stay.”
Ryuji’s mom beamed at Ren. “Great! I'll make you a plate.”
When she left, Ren exhaled in an amused way. “Your mom is so sweet.”
Ryuji nodded, grinning. “She's the best.”
Ren’s happy expression dimmed a bit as he looked away. Ryuji tilted his head curiously and Ren got… almost a little flustered?
“Ah, sorry, I didn't mean… it's just… my mom is… not great. So.”
Ryuji’s eyes widened. Though, based on everything he’d heard (and… hadn't heard) he kinda guessed that was the case. “Aw man, that sucks - I’m sorry.”
Ren shook his head and waved off his concerns. He didn't say anything after that, so Ryuji didn't either. He still felt sad for Ren, though. If anyone deserved a good mom, it was Ren.
“Anyway!” Ren stood up abruptly, looking over at Ryuji. “Kitchen?”
Ryuji blinked and stood. It still felt a bit awkward after that talk, but… well. Ren was moving on, so Ryuji would, too.
They headed into the little dining area together right as Ryuji’s mom started putting the food down - miso and rice tonight. Ryuji’s stomach growled when the smell hit his nose. He ushered Ren to sit between him and his mom, who was at the head of their small dining table. Ryuji just… wanted them to like each other. They were both the most important people in his life, he wanted them to bond.
For a little while, they ate silently (except for Ren complimenting the food and Ryuji enthusiastically agreeing) until Ryuji’s mom sat up a little straighter and spoke. “So, Ren, are you new around here?”
Ren paused, looking almost surprised at being spoken to. He swallowed the food he had in his mouth and hesitantly said “... Yeah.”
“He's the friend that lives in that cafe,” Ryuji interjected, giving his mother a meaningful look. He'd already vaguely explained Ren’s situation, just… without telling her who he was.
Her eyes widened. “Oh! Ren is that friend!”
Ren tilted his head slightly, eyes flicking from her to Ryuji.
“I told her a little bit about your… y'know.” Ryuji gestured vaguely with one hand toward him, and Ren blinked in understanding, somehow.
“Ryuji was so excited to tell me all about his cool new friend,” Ryuji’s mom said with a mischievous smile.
“Ma!” Ryuji protested, face going a little red.
“He had a lot of good things to say about you.”
Ren looked over at Ryuji with a wide smile - half amused, half pleased.
“Oh, but you've been through a lot, haven’t you, Ren?” His mother continued with a frown. Ryuji felt his embarrassment drain in favor of sadness for his friend. “Have your parents talked to you much since you’ve been here?”
Ren shook his head. “Not at all.”
Ryuji and his mother frowned deeper in unison, though Ryuji already knew as much. “Oh, sweetheart. Well, if you ever need anything, let me know. I'll help you the best I can.”
Ren smiled a little. “Thank you.”
“You don't need ‘em, anyway,” Ryuji said after a moment, flinging an arm around Ren’s shoulders. “You're doin’ great! Top of the class and everything!”
Ryuji’s mom’s eyes lit up. “Really? I'm glad you're doing so well, Ren!”
“He's the reason my grade’s been goin’ up in English,” Ryuji bragged on Ren’s behalf, and Ren huffed out an embarrassed laugh.
“The rest of them too. You're doing good,” Ren insisted, apparently trying to shift the credit to Ryuji.
“I've been through a lot of tutors, you're the only one who actually worked!” Ryuji wasn't going to let him weasel his way out of taking the compliment.
“Thank you for what you've done for Ryu,” his mother said gratefully. She seemed so genuinely happy.
Ren’s little smile returned. “... Anytime.”
They continued chatting until Ren eventually stood up and mentioned that he had to go home to get to sleep early - he had important errands to run tomorrow. (By “important errands”, Ryuji was pretty sure he meant a Mementos run, which meant Ryuji should probably sleep early too.)
“See ya later, Ren!” Ryuji stood and flung his arms around his best friend in an almost aggressive bro-hug. Ren chuckled and returned the hug, though with much less enthusiasm.
Once he’d left, Ryuji began helping his mother with the dishes. He almost regretted that choice when he realized she kept glancing at him out of the corner of her eyes almost nervously, as if preparing to broach some important topic. She'd given him that look before, but it was typically reserved for things like “Ryuji, I know you haven't been feeling great lately, but you still need to clean your room” or “we’re gonna be tight on money for a while, I’m sorry”. Ryuji braced himself for whatever she was about to say.
“... Ryuji, you know I'll love you no matter what, right?”
Ryuji’s heart pounded fearfully. What… was this about? He hadn't expected that at all. What the hell was she gonna say?
“... Yeah?”
“... It doesn't matter who you like. I'll always support you.”
Ryuji squinted a little in confusion as the hand that was drying a bowl slowed. Did… she not like Ren? He'd been under the impression that she had.
“No matter who you decide to date. I'll never judge you or throw you out or anything like that. Nothing will change how much I love you, Ryu.”
She'd lost him again. Date…? Ryuji hadn't expressed a desire to date anyone for, like, years. Since he was 13, maybe. What was she talking about?
Ryuji had stopped drying the bowl and looked at his mother, trying to understand. She wasn't looking at him, just studiously washing the other bowls.
“... Uh… okay?”
She glanced at him again, her face betraying nothing.
“... Ryu, if you ever realize you like men, too, that's okay! I'll still love you.”
Ryuji’s mouth went dry and his stomach dropped. What???
“Ma, I don't- what’re you talking about? I don't… I don't like men.”
Finally, her face contorted just a little bit. She almost looked like she didn't believe him?? But why?
“Just cuz none of the girls at my school are nice enough to me to date doesn't mean I don't like girls, Ma.” Ryuji wasn't… entirely being defensive. He just didn't understand her logic. Just because he didn't wanna date anyone at Shujin? Almost everyone at that school hated him. He was just the stupid delinquent kid. Ann was the only cool one there, really, and he hadn't seen her that way since… well, since he was 13, actually. Now, they were much closer to being siblings than anything else. Ann was a close friend of his, but God, a little too high maintenance for him. Hot, sure, but after dealing with so many Shadows of shallow people, he was beginning to realize how little looks mattered in the grand scheme of things. (Not that Ann was shallow, she was just… not really his type personality-wise.) Sure, they mattered to him, but not as much as a good personality. He wanted someone sweet and loving, someone who had a good heart and good looks. Kinda like Ren. Now, if he met a girl that was like Ren…
“There’s no real reason. I’m just saying,” his mother finally said, tone gentle like she was trying to placate him. “If you ever decide you wanna date a guy, you don't have to worry about how I'll feel about it. I just want you to be happy, Ryu.” She quickly toweled one of her hands off so she could affectionately muss up his hair, and he dipped away from her touch (which was hard, she was a lot shorter than him) and playfully pushed her hand away.
“Ma!” he groaned, trying and failing to fix his hair.
She laughed next to him. Ryuji loved it when his mom laughed. He hadn't heard it much for the first… three quarters of his life that he could remember. His dad had been around, and, well… no one did much laughing then.
Or they had, at first, he supposed. When he was a toddler, they'd supposedly been happy. That's what his mom said, anyway. Eventually, though, he got mean, and that was the only part Ryuji remembered.
Ryuji shoved those thoughts from his mind. His dad was gone for good. He didn't wanna waste any more time thinking about that piece of shit.
Besides, he was still thinking about what his mom said, and there was one other person who at least sort of knew his mother. Later that night, once his teeth were brushed and his pajamas were on and he was in bed, he bit the bullet and shot her a text.
Ryuji: hey sorry if I wake you up but my mom just gave me a talk about me being gay???
Ann: Why are you still awake?? It's nearly 11
Ryuji: because, Ann, I need to know why my mom suddenly thinks I'm gay!
Ann: You know we’re going to Mementos tomorrow, right??
Ryuji: Ann please
Ann: Jesus, alright. What did you do? Did she catch you watching porn or something?
Ryuji: ew
ew
no.
ew.
I dunno, I had Ren over today
Ann: Oh my god
You brought Ren to your house???
Ryuji: yeah, yeah, I know, but I trust him. Like, a lot.
Ann: …
I don't have enough crayons to explain this to you.
You are hopeless.
Go to bed.
Ryuji: ???????
---
A few weeks or so later, after Ren confessed that he liked a guy that wasn't Ryuji and Ryuji picked the worst time in the world to realize he loved Ren, that text exchange haunted him. God, sometimes Ryuji felt so damn dumb.
Ryuji had brought Ren over a couple of times before that revelation, but now that he'd had it, he must’ve been acting differently around Ren. He didn't think he was, but he’d brought Ren over again and the second he walked out the door, Ryuji’s mother looked at him funny.
“Hey Ryu, you were acting kinda weird today. Is something wrong?” Her tone was so gentle, Ryuji almost wanted to cry.
“... I like him, Mom. A lot.”
She blinked, looking understanding and completely unsurprised. Of course she wasn't surprised, she'd known for months now! She'd known before Ryuji knew! “Oh, Ryuji. Have you tried talking to him about it?”
Ryuji shook his head. “... He’s bi.”
His mother’s face lit up. “Well that's good, isn't it?”
Ryuji’s lip quivered a little bit. It was embarrassing as hell, but there was something about his mom that always made him wanna pour his heart out to her. …Maybe because she was his mom. No shit. “... He likes someone else.”
Her expression dropped into a look of sympathy. “Oh, honey, I'm sorry. I was under the impression that he liked you too.”
Ryuji shook his head. “He would've told me.”
His mom tilted her head. “Would he have? Maybe he was scared.”
Ryuji didn't think Ren could be scared of anything, but he didn't voice that to his mother. And, well… maybe she was right. Maybe. Or maybe Ren was doing the same thing Ryuji was - just assuming he didn't wanna date, or that he couldn't like him…
Oh. He'd acted a little weird when Ren came out to him, maybe Ren just… didn't want to scare Ryuji away?
… Well, that didn't change the fact that Ren wouldn't lie - he did like someone else.
“Ren can like multiple people, you know. Anyone can,” his mother pointed out as if she could read his mind. “Maybe he does like you, he just likes someone else too.”
Ryuji couldn't really wrap his head around that. Well, the multiple people thing, sure, but… Ren liking him? It just… seemed unlikely.
His mother stared at Ryuji for a moment, frowning a little, and then smiled encouragingly at him. “Well, I think you should tell him and see what happens, honey. Worst case scenario is he says no, I can't see Ren hating you over something so silly. Besides, I really like Ren - I'd love to have him as my son-in-law.”
“Ma!” Ryuji’s face went scarlet as his wide eyes snapped to the mischievous look on her face.
“I'm just saying. I’d love to be able to officially call him ‘son’.” She winked at Ryuji and went off to wash the dishes.
Ryuji buried his face in his hands. Having a crush was the most embarrassing thing in the world. Having his mother know was even worse.
---
A few weeks later, Ryuji’s mom came home from work to find Ryuji sitting at the dining table, staring down blankly at a bowl of leftovers that were definitely room temperature by now.
“Ryu? What's wrong?”
She didn't mention the fact that it was late and he should've been sleeping. She didn't even mention the fact that he hadn't eaten perfectly good food. Her first concern was with his well-being, and that made Ryuji want to cry.
Ryuji looked up at her, taking in the dark circles under her worried eyes, the way her slowly graying hair was currently trying to escape the bun it was in. She was exhausted, but she wanted to help. Ryuji felt terrible. This was stupid. He’d thought he was over this already. …But he knew she wouldn't stop worrying until she knew what was wrong. She'd said so herself before. “... Y'know how I stayed over at Ren’s place yesterday?”
His mother nodded.
“... He had a boyfriend.”
Shock briefly crossed her face, but when she blinked her expression reset back to worried curiosity.
“... He lied to me about who it was.”
Her brow furrowed. “Why would he do that?”
Ryuji looked away. “... It was someone I hated. Someone I thought he hated too. …The fucker betrayed us.”
He wasn't looking at her, but he saw the way his mother shifted her weight from one leg to the other. Nervous energy. “Betrayed you in what way?”
Ryuji paused. He hadn't thought that through. He could lie, but no lie would carry the weight of what Akechi had really done. Although… he could hint. Imply. Try to get the message across without giving his mother a heart attack. “‘member when Ren got beat up?”
Ryuji always knew when his mother was angry on his behalf. Or, more accurately this time, Ren’s. He didn't even need to be looking at her, he just needed to be in her vicinity. She always said it was because she was his “mama bear”, and that was definitely true, but Ryuji always saw it as something like an aura. Sometimes fire, sometimes a dark cloud, always depending on what her intent was. This time he could nearly feel electricity crackling off of her - as if they were in the Metaverse and she was gearing up for one hell of a Maziodyne.
“You really remind me of your mom.”
“He had something to do with that?!”
Ryuji snapped out of his thoughts and nearly cowered away from her. He'd very rarely been scared of his mother, and it was always in moments like this. Even when he knew her anger wasn't directed at him, she was his mother - when she commanded respect, he gave it to her, and that tone definitely commanded respect.
“H-he… yeah. But- wait wait wait, but-” His mother had begun moving deeper into their apartment, going who knew where, Ryuji doubted she even knew. Though… he had a bit of an idea.
“Mom, he… they, uh… they broke up.” …Sorta, yeah. Unofficially, but the circumstances kinda dictated it. “And then he… not Ren, but his shitty ex, he… got into an accident.”
Ryuji’s mom kind of froze at that, looking at Ryuji in surprise. “What kind of accident?”
God, this was hard. Ryuji was desperately trying to balance all the complicated emotions Ren was feeling with a simple lie that made sense. “... He’s… he's gone, ma. The dude died.”
She blinked in surprise a few times.
“... How is Ren?”
“Not good, ma. ‘S why I stayed over with him last night.”
She frowned, looking like someone had just told her their dog died.
“... Invite him over sometime, Ryuji. Whenever he's feeling better. I'd like to make something for him. And stay over there if you can, I'll let you know if I ever need you home.” She said it so softly and gently despite her unhappy expression. She was worried for Ren. It made Ryuji happy, knowing that his mom cared about his best friend this much.
“... But… I don't know how I feel about it.”
His mother tilted her head, frown easing a bit. “About what?”
“He lied to me, ma. He's never done that before. And it was… he was dating that asshole. I don't understand… I…”
His mother shook her head, finally smiling a little. “Oh, Ryu. It sounds like he really respects your opinion and was just scared. As for the guy… sometimes people show us different sides of them so we start liking them, sometimes even when we know they're trouble.” Her smile dropped completely as she stared at nothing for a moment. “... I knew your father was trouble, but I still got involved with him. And, to be honest… I would do it all over again because it means I got a fantastic son like you.” She walked to Ryuji and hugged him (a bit awkwardly, since he was sitting, but still). Ryuji’s eyes started burning and he did his best to hug her back.
“... Besides,” his mother started softly, though her voice sounded just shy of innocent. “Since he's single now and his ex was a dick, you’ll be able swoop in that much easier~”
“Ma!” Ryuji laughed, lightly tapping her arm in a chastising way. “That's effed up.”
“But it made you smile.” She pulled back with a big grin on her face and winked at him.
Ryuji shook his head, chuckling. He wouldn't take her… suggestion, as funny as it was. Eventually, he would take her suggestion from a while ago, though.
Once Ren felt better, he'd confess to him. At this point, Ryuji didn't mind how Ren took it as long as they kept being best friends. He just needed him to know.
---
“... Man, you can come over, just… expect my mom to be embarrassing about us dating.”
Ren tilted his head. “What do you mean?”
Ryuji stood in front of the school gates, scratching the back of his head nervously as he avoided the gaze of his cute ass boyfriend. The… “support” of both his mother and Ann was beginning to play on repeat in his head lately. He and Ren had only been dating for a couple days, but it was kinda obvious to both of them that they'd be in it for the long haul, and he'd probably have to deal with… well, his mother would be kinder about it, but Ann would probably hold his obliviousness against him until the end of time.
As it was, Ryuji was pretty sure his mom was going to freak. Out.
“She… kinda knew I liked you the first time you came over.”
Ren blinked in surprise. “... You liked me the first time I came over?”
“Of course I did, dude! I've liked you for, like, ever! I don't let just anyone come to my place!” Ryuji said quickly, face going red. “I just… didn't know I did.”
Ren smiled.
“My mom knew you liked me, too,” Ryuji said defensively.
Ren’s eyes widened. “... I wasn't that obvious, was I? …Well, I guess I was, but…”
“No, you weren’t,” Ryuji asserted, if only because he had definitely not realized. Maybe other people had clocked that Ren had feelings for Ryuji, but Ryuji was pretty convinced that his mom only knew because she had mom instincts. Or something.
“I kinda was,” Ren said, pushing his glasses up thoughtfully. “At least, I think so.”
Ryuji shook his head. “I literally had no idea, dude.”
“Yuji, I hate to say it, but…”
“Doooon’t.” Ryuji rubbed his face with his hands as he groaned. “Ann already calls me oblivious all the time. I bet it's gonna get worse when she learns we’re actually datin’.”
Ren shook his head and then hugged Ryuji, pressing their cheeks together. “It's okay. At least you're still cute.”
Ryuji laughed and pushed him away. “Fuck you.” He tried to sound serious, but his laughter was still leaking into his tone.
Ren was grinning when he let Ryuji push him off. “Anyway, we goin’?”
Ryuji sighed, his smile finally dropping a little. “Yeah, lemme just… kinda warn her so she doesn't… y'know.” Reluctantly, he pulled out his phone.
Favorite Son: hey ma, you home?
Best mom: Yeah, why?? Do you need a ride sweetie??
Favorite Son: no, just
I'm comin home rn
and I need you to stay calm, alright?
Best mom: Ryuji.
What happened??????
Did someone hurt you?
Or Ren??
Do I need to get the bat?!
Favorite Son: nonono please do not
Best mom: You know I'll do anything for you, Ryuji.
Favorite Son: yes thank you I appreciate that
but please do not get the bat
its not that kind of problem
Best mom: Ok honey.
Favorite Son: just
when I get home, I'm gonna tell you something
don't scream
I will literally die of embarrassment
Best mom: Oh, that type of problem?
Ok kiddo.
See you soon.
Favorite Son: love you
Best mom: I love you too <3
---
Ryuji had his hand on the doorknob to his apartment for a solid ten seconds, just feeling dread, before he actually opened the door.
“Ryu! And… oh! Hello, Ren!” His mother was in the kitchen, still in her scrubs but already making food, and she was smiling at them the second they walked in.
“Ma, you didn't have to do that…” Ryuji said guiltily, immediately going over to help her.
“Well, you made it sound like you had something serious you wanted to say - I wanted to make sure we talked on full stomachs.” She lowered her voice to ask “Is Ren part of the talk?”
Ryuji nodded, his mouth going dry.
“Does he need a place to stay? We don't really have the room, but he could sleep in the living room…” She turned and looked out at the rest of the apartment fretfully, biting her lip as if immediately trying to figure out how to slot Ren into their lives.
“No! No, ma,” Ryuji said quickly, chuckling a little nervously.
Ryuji heard Ren sit at the table behind them, and he could almost feel Ren’s curious stare on his back.
“I, um… It's…” Ryuji’s face was red. It had to be. Oh God.
… Silence. His mother was simply waiting, staring at him with curiosity.
…
Ryuji heard a soft sigh and the sound of a chair scraping on the fake tile ground, and then suddenly Ren was wrapping his arms around Ryuji’s middle and resting his chin on Ryuji’s shoulder.
Ryuji’s mother stepped back, staring at them with wide eyes. “Wait… oh my god, Ryu, you're-?”
Ryuji cringed a little. “... We’re dating.”
Ryuji’s mother took in a deep breath, pressing a hand to her mouth. Oh no. Keep it together, please-
“Oh my god I'm so happy for you,” she exhaled, almost a whisper, and Ryuji sighed in relief. He'd fully been expecting a scream, or a squeal, or something, but she had held back. It had clearly taken a lot, and Ryuji was grateful.
Ryuji felt more than saw Ren smile on his shoulder. “It's about time,” Ren murmured.
“Yes! It is!” Oh, she was squeaking a bit. “Oh, sit down, you two - dinner should be just about done cooking!”
Ren would not stop smiling. It was adorable. He once again sat between Ryuji and his mother, and Ryuji could swear his mom was almost vibrating in excitement.
And then later on, when Ren was leaving and Ryuji and his mother were still in the living room, they heard the front door click as Ren walked out and Ryuji's mother immediately smiled at him.
“So you finally managed to tell him, huh?”
Ryuji’s face warmed. “... Yeah.”
“Well, I'm glad! I told you, I really want him as my son-in-law.”
“Yeah, yeah… I'll work on it…” Ryuji grumbled, and then the front door clicked shut.
They both froze. Oh shit. He hadn't left yet.
“Ma!” Ryuji said loudly, horrified, and she had the audacity to laugh at him.